U.S. patent number 9,866,712 [Application Number 14/683,500] was granted by the patent office on 2018-01-09 for operation console, and electronic device and image processing apparatus provided with the operation console.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha. The grantee listed for this patent is Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Shinsaku Tohki, Mayuko Yoshida.
United States Patent |
9,866,712 |
Yoshida , et al. |
January 9, 2018 |
Operation console, and electronic device and image processing
apparatus provided with the operation console
Abstract
An operation unit of an image forming apparatus having a
plurality of operation modes, allowing accurate and easy input by
the user requesting switching of display to a screen image allowing
selection of an operation mode, includes: a pilot lamp, a
touch-panel display, and hardware keys including a power key, an
energy-saving key and a home key. The home key that switches the
display on the touch-panel display to an operation mode selecting
screen image (home screen image) when pressed is provided closer to
the touch-panel display than other hardware buttons.
Inventors: |
Yoshida; Mayuko (Osaka,
JP), Tohki; Shinsaku (Osaka, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha |
Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Osaka,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
44369461 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/683,500 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20150215482 A1 |
Jul 30, 2015 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13022712 |
Feb 8, 2011 |
9030679 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Feb 18, 2010 [JP] |
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2010-033289 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00413 (20130101); H04N 1/00424 (20130101); H04N
1/00474 (20130101); H04N 1/00896 (20130101); G03G
15/502 (20130101); G06F 3/03547 (20130101); G06F
3/0416 (20130101); H04N 1/0044 (20130101); H04N
1/00482 (20130101); H04N 1/00411 (20130101); G06F
3/0354 (20130101); G03G 15/5016 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/00 (20060101); G03G 15/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10-079819 |
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Mar 1998 |
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JP |
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2001-245085 |
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Sep 2001 |
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JP |
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2005-197924 |
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Jul 2005 |
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JP |
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2006-201585 |
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Aug 2006 |
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JP |
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2006-308831 |
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Nov 2006 |
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JP |
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2007-267254 |
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Oct 2007 |
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JP |
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2008-042706 |
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Feb 2008 |
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JP |
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2008-217576 |
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Sep 2008 |
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JP |
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2008-298987 |
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Dec 2008 |
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JP |
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2009-159301 |
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Jul 2009 |
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JP |
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2004-347630 |
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Dec 2009 |
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JP |
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2010-003007 |
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Jan 2010 |
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JP |
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2010-011049 |
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Jan 2010 |
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JP |
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Other References
Advisory Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,728, dated Nov.
3, 2014. cited by applicant .
Final Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,728, dated
Aug. 25, 2014. cited by applicant .
Non-Final Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,728,
dated Apr. 18, 2014. cited by applicant .
Final Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,728, dated
Nov. 25, 2013. cited by applicant .
Advisory Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,728, dated Feb.
5, 2014. cited by applicant .
Allowed Claims of Copending U.S. Appl. No. 13/022,712, filed Feb.
8, 2011. cited by applicant .
Non-Final Office Action for related U.S. Appl. No. 14/685,939,
dated Apr. 7, 2016. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Williams; Miya J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
Sklar, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This nonprovisional application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/022,712, filed Feb. 8, 2011, which claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No.
2010-033289 filed in Japan on Feb. 18, 2010, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An operation console provided on an apparatus that operates in
accordance with a user operation, said operation console having a
surface including a first area and a second area, said operation
console comprising: a display provided in said first area; a home
button arranged in said first area adjacent to said display for
requesting display of a home screen; a plurality of hardware
buttons provided in said second area; and a member provided on said
surface encompassing said first area such that said member
separates said first area from said second area.
2. The operation console according to claim 1, wherein said home
button occupies a larger area on said surface than any of said
plurality of hardware buttons.
3. The operation console according to claim 1, wherein on said
surface, said home button has a shape different from any of said
plurality of hardware buttons.
4. The operation console according to claim 1, wherein the shortest
distance of distances from said plurality of hardware buttons to
said display is longer than a distance from a portion of said home
button to said display, said portion being farthest from said
display.
5. The operation console according to claim 1, wherein said display
has a rectangular shape; said home button has a rectangular shape
having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides shorter
than said longer sides; and said home button is arranged such that
one of said longer sides extends along one side of said
display.
6. The operation console according to claim 5, wherein said
plurality of hardware buttons are arranged such that the central
position of each hardware button is on a line parallel to said
longer side of said home button.
7. An electronic device, comprising: the operation console
according to claim 1; and a functioning unit operatively coupled to
said operation console.
8. An image processing apparatus, comprising: the operation console
according to claim 1; and an image processing unit operatively
coupled to said operation console such that said image processing
unit processes an image in accordance with a user operation on said
operation console.
9. An operation console provided on an apparatus that operates in
accordance with a user operation, said operation console having a
surface including a first area and a second area, comprising: a
display provided in said first area; a home button arranged to be
adjacent to said display, in said first area; a plurality of
hardware buttons provided in said second area, wherein said home
button is closer to said display than any of said plurality of
hardware buttons; and a member provided on said surface
encompassing said first area such that said member separates said
first area from said second area.
10. The operation console according to claim 9, wherein said home
button occupies a larger area on said surface than any of said
plurality of hardware buttons.
11. The operation console according to claim 9, wherein on said
surface, said home button has a shape different from any of said
plurality of hardware buttons.
12. The operation console according to claim 9, wherein the
shortest distance of distances from said plurality of hardware
buttons to said display is longer than a distance from a portion of
said home button to said display, said portion being farthest from
said display.
13. The operation console according to claim 9, wherein said
display has a rectangular shape; said home button has a rectangular
shape having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides
shorter than said longer sides; and said home button is arranged
such that one of said longer sides extends along one side of said
display.
14. The operation console according to claim 13, wherein said
plurality of hardware buttons are arranged such that the central
position of each hardware button is on a line parallel to said
longer side of said home button.
15. An electronic device, comprising: the operation console
according to claim 9; and a functioning unit operatively coupled to
said operation console.
16. An image processing apparatus, comprising: the operation
console according to claim 9; and an image processing unit
operatively coupled to said operation console such that said image
processing unit processes an image in accordance with a user
operation on said operation console.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an operation console including a
display unit for displaying information to a user. More
specifically, the present invention relates to an operation console
allowing the user to accurately select and operate an operation
button for displaying a specific screen image (operation mode
selecting screen image) on the display unit, from among a plurality
of operation buttons. The present invention also relates to an
electronic device and an image forming apparatus provided with such
an operation console.
Description of the Background Art
As one type of image processing apparatuses as electronic
equipment, image forming apparatuses forming images on recording
paper (typically, copy machines) are introduced to many places of
business (companies and offices). In such a place of business, it
has become increasingly common to connect an image forming
apparatus having a printer function or a copy function to a
network, to allow use (sharing) by a plurality of users. A
multifunction peripheral (MFP) as one type of such image forming
apparatuses has a plurality of basic operation modes such as a copy
mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter "facsimile" may also be denoted
as FAX or fax), a network-supported printer mode and a scanner
mode. In such an image forming apparatus, each user selects an
operation mode and sets a function of duplex (two-sided) printing
or collective printing (such as 2-in-1 by which two pages of an
original document are printed on one sheet, or 4-in-1 by which four
pages of an original document are printed on one sheet), whereby
images are formed on sheets of paper in a desired manner.
Appropriate combinations of these functions come to be more
frequently used.
When a user uses such an image forming apparatus, for example, the
user inputs image data in the scanner mode, performs image
processing (such as collection) by inputting various instructions
through an operation panel, and prints the results on a sheet of
recording paper. In such a situation, the operation panel, serving
as an operation and display unit, functions as an interface between
the image forming apparatus and the user. Generally, on the
operation panel, a screen image for setting functions in each
operation mode is displayed, so that the user can easily set
various functions. Further, while a job is being executed, job
progress status may be displayed, to allow the user to easily grasp
the progress status of the job. In the printer mode executed upon
reception of data from an external device, the job progress status
may be displayed on the operation panel in accordance with the data
received from the external device as a source.
Recently, a touch-panel display having a touch-panel overlapped on
a liquid crystal panel (display panel) comes to be increasingly
used as such an operation panel. By way of example, items (software
buttons) allowing selection of a mode of the image forming
apparatus are displayed on the touch-panel display, the user
viewing the display presses a position of an item displayed on the
touch-panel display (presses a software button), and the operation
mode is set.
Such a touch-panel display having both the display and operation
functions is advantageous in that it eliminates the necessity of
providing a display unit and an operation unit separately. Further,
it attracts attention recently since a command can be selected
advantageously in accordance with the user's sense, when it is
adapted such that a command can be selected in accordance with a
trajectory of pressing of the touch-panel display by the user's
finger. Examples of such command selection using finger trajectory
include the following.
When a plurality of pages are displayed on the touch-panel display
as print previews, the following operations may be performed. By a
user operation of lightly tapping twice (hereinafter also referred
to as double-tapping) a position of a certain page displayed as a
preview, a command to display the page in an enlarged or reduced
size can be selected. By a user operation trajectory of expanding a
space between two fingers (hereinafter also referred to as
pinch-out or pinch-open), a command to display the page in an
enlarged size can be selected, and by a user operation trajectory
of reducing a space between the two fingers (hereinafter also
referred to as pinch-in or pinch-close), a command to display the
page in a reduced size can be selected. In the following, these
operations are denoted as gesture operations. The gesture
operations are not limited to the above, and may include: tapping,
or lightly touching an item displayed on the touch-panel display;
dragging, or sliding an item with a finger; flicking, or lightly
sweeping an item to scroll; and pinching with two fingers. It is
noted that, strictly speaking, (different from other gesture
operations) tapping and double-tapping are not determined by
detecting the user operation trajectory on the touch-panel display.
These are determined not by the trajectory but by detection of a
position. Considering the relation to other gesture operations, in
the present specification, the gesture operation generally refers
to an operation for detecting a user request based on the operation
trajectory of the user to the touch-panel display, including
tapping and double tapping.
Further, in the present specification, an operation other than the
gesture operations as such will be described as a touch operation.
The touch operation means an operation of detecting a user's
request based on the position of operation by the user on the
touch-panel. A representative example of the touch operation is an
operation of the user pressing a position of an item (pressing a
software button) displayed on the touch-panel display.
In an MFP provided with a touch-panel display allowing both touch
operation and gesture operation, many pieces of information
intended for the user are displayed on the touch-panel display.
Such an MFP has a plurality of operation modes as described above,
and the user selects an operation mode. An operation mode may be
selected by pressing a software button displayed on the touch-panel
display, or by pressing a hardware button.
By way of example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-201585
(hereinafter referred to as '585 Reference) discloses an operation
panel device intended for improving operability by preventing
operation error of any user. The operation panel device has a
display unit on which an operation screen image can be displayed.
The display unit of operation panel device provides color displays
of a plurality of operation menu screen images, with background
colors made different from each other.
In the operation panel device, the display unit is capable of color
display of a plurality of operation menu screen images of
respective operation menus, with background colors made different
from each other. The user, noticing the background color of the
operation menu screen image color-displayed on the display unit,
can intuitively grasp the operation menu corresponding to the
operation menu screen image. No matter who the user is, operation
error in selecting the operation menu can be reduced, and improved
operability can be attained. In FIG. 1 of '585 Reference, a group
of function switching keys including four keys to switch among the
copy function, printer function, scanner function and facsimile
function is arranged as software buttons, aligned on the right side
of the touch-panel display.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-308831 (hereinafter referred
to as '831 Reference) discloses an image forming apparatus
including a plurality of processing functions (copy function,
facsimile function, scanner function, electronic mail function,
etc.), that improves user operability by controlling screen image
transitions.
The image forming apparatus includes: a display unit, displaying a
menu screen image allowing selection of any of the plurality of
processing functions, or a function instruction screen image
allowing execution of a processing function; an operation unit,
receiving a user operation related to the selected processing
function, based on the screen image displayed on the display unit;
a detection unit detecting absence of any operation, related to the
selected processing function, on the operation unit for a
prescribed time period; and a control unit, returning, if it is
detected by the detecting unit that no operation is done for the
prescribed time period, the screen image on the display unit to an
initial display of the function instruction screen image related to
the selected processing function.
The image forming apparatus is controlled such that, if no
operation is done by the operation unit for a prescribed time
period, the detecting unit detects the absence of operation, the
function instruction screen image related to the processing
function displayed on the display unit is reset, and the display is
returned to the initial screen image of the function instruction
screen image. Therefore, as an automatic reset process that takes
place after the lapse of the prescribed time period, the initial
screen image corresponding to the function that has been selected
immediately before is resumed. Therefore, when the user is to
proceed to the next process, the process function can readily be
executed. FIG. 3(a) of '831 Reference shows software buttons for
switching among the copy function, scanner function and facsimile
function, on the touch-panel display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various electronic devices as represented by the image forming
apparatus and an image processing apparatus include a touch-panel
display as a display device. As disclosed in the references
described above, various pieces of information are displayed on the
touch-panel display. The image forming apparatus as one of such
electronic devices has a plurality of functional modes or process
functions (operation modes). When a user selects an operation mode,
an initial screen image corresponding to the selected operation
mode is displayed on the touch-panel display.
In the operation panel device disclosed in '585 Reference, the
operation mode is selected using a hardware button. In the
operation panel device as such, it is necessary to provide hardware
buttons at least same in number to the types of operation modes.
The operation panel device disclosed in '585 Reference is provided
with a large number of hardware buttons including ten keys, a start
key and a reset key, in addition to the operation mode selecting
buttons corresponding to the four different operation modes.
Therefore, a user may be confused in determining which hardware
button is to be pressed for selecting an operation mode. Further,
in the operation panel device disclosed in '585 Reference, four
keys for switching among the copy function, printer function,
scanner function and facsimile function are arranged aligned on the
right side of touch-panel display. Such arrangement is not very
easily viewable to the user, possibly leading to an error of
selecting an operation mode.
Buttons for selecting operation modes come to be implemented by
software buttons displayed on the touch-panel display, rather than
the hardware buttons. Software buttons are preferred since the
arrangement and shape (size) can easily be changed. By way of
example, it is easy to display the software button in a larger size
or in different color to be more easily noticeable by the user. In
the image forming apparatus disclosed in '831 Reference, software
buttons for switching operation modes are displayed on the
touch-panel display.
However, '831 Reference does not sufficiently disclose the user
operation for making a transition to the menu screen image allowing
selection of an operation mode. What is disclosed in '831 Reference
is simply that transition to the auto reset mode occurs in the
absence of any operation for a prescribed time period after
selection of an operation mode, and that the screen image after
transition to the auto reset mode may be set either to the menu
screen image or to the initial screen image of the selected
operation mode.
Such a configuration may lead to the following problem. Assume that
the user selects the copy mode as the operation mode, and is making
various settings of the copy mode on the initial screen image of
the copy mode. Here, it is often the case that the user has
difficulty in operation and wishes to start the operation again
from the selection of operation mode. However, it is difficult in
the image forming apparatus disclosed in '831 Reference for the
user to operate the image forming apparatus smooth in such a
situation. The reason is as follows. First, it is necessary to set
in advance the screen image after transition to the auto reset mode
to the menu screen image. Further, in order to return to the menu
image if the user is confused in operation, the user must wait
without any operation until auto reset starts. This prevents smooth
operation by the user of the image forming apparatus.
In order to avoid such a situation, an image forming apparatus
having a hardware button forcing the screen image on the
touch-panel display to make a transition to the menu screen image
has been known. Even in such an apparatus, it is often the case
that a large number of hardware buttons are arranged on the
operation panel as in the case of '585 Reference, and the user
having difficulty in operation could be confused, not knowing which
hardware button should be pressed to return to the menu image. In
that case, the user who wishes to return to the menu screen image
may take a long time for operation, or may make an erroneous
operation.
As a solution to such a problem, it is possible to provide only one
hardware button to return to the menu screen image on the operation
panel. In such an image forming apparatus, however, at least a
power button and a button to enter/return to the energy saving
mode, which cannot be implemented by the software buttons displayed
on the touch-panel display, must be provided. Therefore, it is not
practical to provide only the hardware button to return to the menu
screen image on the operation panel. When a plurality of hardware
buttons are provided on the operation panel, the problem that the
user may be confused in selecting which hardware button to be
pressed cannot be solved.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide, in an
electronic device and an image processing apparatus that operate in
accordance with a user operation, a technique allowing the user to
accurately select and operate a hardware button receiving a request
to make a transition to the screen image displaying specific
information, from among a plurality of hardware buttons.
The electronic device may be any device capable of operating in a
plurality of operation modes, switched by a user operation. An
example of the image processing apparatus is an image forming
apparatus. The screen image to which the transition is made upon
pressing the hardware button is, for example, a screen image
allowing selection of an operation mode.
According to an aspect, the present invention provides an operation
console provided on an apparatus as an object of control operated
by a user operation. The operation console includes: a display
device for displaying information to the user; an input device for
the user to input a request; and a display control device
displaying, if a request for displaying specific information on the
display device is input through the input device, the specific
information on the display device. The input device includes a
plurality of operation buttons for inputting a plurality of
requests, corresponding to respective requests. Among the plurality
of operation buttons, an operation button corresponding to the
request for displaying the specific information is provided closest
to the display device.
The operation console is provided with a plurality of operation
buttons (hardware buttons) as the input device. If a user has
difficulty in operation and wishes to have specific information
displayed on the display device, the user inputs a request to
display the specific information, by operating a specific operation
button among the plurality of operation buttons. The specific
operation button is provided closest to the display device and,
therefore, the user viewing the display device can easily and
accurately select the specific button from the plurality of
operation buttons. Therefore, the user request can easily and
accurately be input, and the specific information can be displayed
on the display device. Particularly, since the specific information
(such as initial screen image information, help information, or
mode selection information) can easily and accurately be displayed
to the user having difficulty in operation, the user can avoid
further trouble or difficulty.
The operation console is provided on an apparatus as an object of
control operating in an operation mode selected by a user operation
from among a plurality of operation modes. The specific information
displayed on the display device is mode selection information
allowing selection of one operation mode from the plurality of
operation modes.
In this manner, if the user is making various settings in an
operation mode once selected, and has difficulty in operation and
wishes to restart from the selection of operation mode, the user
may have the mode selection information displayed easily and
accurately.
The display device may have a substantially rectangular planar
display area in landscape layout. The plurality of operation
buttons may be provided opposite to any side of the substantial
rectangle. Of the plurality of operation buttons, the operation
button corresponding to the request for displaying the specific
information may be positioned closest to the said any side. The
said any side may be a right, shorter side, or a lower, longer side
of the substantial rectangle.
A plurality of operation buttons are provided collectively opposite
to any side of the display device having a substantially
rectangular, planar display area of landscape orientation. The flow
line of the user's fingertip does not wastefully move to the
left/right or upward/downward. Thus, user operability can be
improved.
Preferably, the plurality of operation buttons include, in addition
to the button corresponding to the request for displaying the
specific information, an operation button for controlling electric
power supplied to the apparatus as an object of control.
More preferably, the operation console further includes a
touch-panel arranged overlapped on the display device, for
detecting a request based on a position where a fingertip of a user
touched. User operation other than the operation on the operation
button corresponding to the request for displaying the specific
information and on the operation button for controlling electric
power supplied to the apparatus as an object of control is detected
by the touch-panel.
The operation button controlling electric power supplied to the
apparatus as the object of control cannot be implemented by a
software button formed on the touch-panel. The operation button for
controlling power supply and the operation button corresponding to
the request for displaying the specific information are implemented
by hardware buttons. Except for these buttons, other operation
buttons are implemented by software buttons. As a result, the
number of hardware buttons can significantly be reduced, and
therefore, it is possible for the user to accurately and easily
select the operation button corresponding to the request for
displaying specific information from the hardware buttons.
Preferably, the operation button for controlling electric power
includes a button requesting supply and stop of electric power to
the apparatus as the object of control, and a button requesting
execution and stop of an energy saving mode of the apparatus as the
object of control.
The number of operation buttons is limited to three, that is, the
power supply button requesting supply and stop of electric power to
the apparatus as the object of control, an energy saving button
requesting execution and stop of the energy saving mode in the
apparatus as the object of control, and the operation button
corresponding to the request for displaying the specific
information. Therefore, it is possible for the user to accurately
and easily select the operation button corresponding to the request
for displaying specific information from the hardware buttons.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides an
electronic device provided with the operation console described
above. According to a still further aspect, the present invention
provides an image processing apparatus provided with the
above-described operation console.
In the electronic device and the image forming apparatus, it is
possible for the user to accurately select and operate the
operation button for causing a transition to a screen image
allowing selection of an operation mode of the electronic device or
the image forming apparatus, from a plurality of operation
buttons.
According to the present invention, in the electronic device and
the image forming apparatus operated by a user, it is possible for
the user to accurately select and operate the hardware button
receiving a request to make a transition to the screen image
displaying specific information, from a plurality of hardware
buttons.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the present invention when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image
forming apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation unit of the image forming
apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 schematically shows an internal configuration of the image
forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware
configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows display areas of a touch-panel display of the image
forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show exemplary screen images displayed on the
touch-panel display of the image forming apparatus in accordance
with the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an operation unit of the image forming
apparatus in accordance with a first modification of the embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an operation unit of the image forming
apparatus in accordance with a second modification of the
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, the same components are denoted by
the same reference characters. Their names and functions are also
the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be
repeated.
The electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is an image forming apparatus as one type of
image processing apparatuses. The display device in accordance with
the present invention may be applicable to an image processing
apparatus or an electronic device other than the image forming
apparatus. The electronic device in accordance with the present
embodiment may be any apparatus having a plurality of operation
modes and provided with an operation console capable of displaying
a specific screen image (menu screen image (home screen image),
help screen image, initial screen image etc.), for switching the
operation mode, by pressing one hardware button among a plurality
of hardware buttons. Here, the specific screen image displayed on
the operation console is not limited to the home screen image.
The image forming apparatus in accordance with the present
embodiment includes a touch-panel display allowing operation by the
gesture operation method and the touch-operation method not using
the gesture operation. The apparatus, however, may include a
touch-panel display allowing touch operation only. Alternatively,
the apparatus may include a display panel, capable of display only
and not allowing any operation, and buttons for operation.
The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet of recording
paper by electro-photography. The image forming apparatus includes,
as operation modes, copy mode, FAX mode, document filing mode (a
mode in which a scanned image is stored in a storage device in the
image forming apparatus) and mail mode (a mode in which a scanned
image is transmitted attached to an electronic mail). The image
forming apparatus may further include network printer mode. The
present invention is not limited to the above, and it may be any
image forming apparatus including at least two of the four
operation modes, that is, copy mode, FAX mode, document filing mode
and mail mode, in which a home screen image allowing selection of
an operation mode is displayed on the touch-panel display when a
specific button among the plurality of hardware buttons is pressed.
Further, the printing method is not limited to
electro-photography.
[Image Forming Apparatus: Function]
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an image forming apparatus 100 in
accordance with the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1
shows an appearance of an image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a
plan view of an operation unit of image forming apparatus 100. FIG.
3 schematically shows an internal configuration of image forming
apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of image
forming apparatus 100.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, image forming apparatus 100 includes a
document reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a paper feed
unit 106, a paper discharge unit 108 and an operation unit 120. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, operation unit 120 includes a touch-panel
display 130 and a display operation unit 140. Touch-panel display
130 includes a display panel 132 formed of a liquid crystal panel
or the like, and a touch-panel 134 arranged overlapped on display
panel 132, for detecting a position pressed by the user's finger.
Display operation unit 140 includes a pilot lamp 142, a power key
144, an energy-saving key 146, and a home key 148 for returning the
display screen image on touch-panel display 130 to a home screen
image for selection of an operation mode.
As described above, image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with
the present embodiment is provided with touch-panel display 130 as
a main operation device, and, in addition, with display operation
unit 140 including hardware buttons and a pilot lamp. The keys
(power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key 148) of display
operation unit 140 are hardware buttons, in contrast to the
software buttons realized by touch-panel display 130. It is noted
that image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to one having
display operation unit 140 as such, and the invention is applicable
to any apparatus in which display operation unit 140 is provided
with a plurality of hardware buttons, and the home screen image is
displayed on touch-panel display 130 (if the home screen image has
not been displayed) when home key 148 among the plurality of
hardware buttons is pressed. The display is switched to an initial
screen image of a selected operation mode, when the user selects
the operation mode on the home screen image displayed on
touch-panel display 130. The operation modes of image forming
apparatus 100 as such will be described.
--Copy Mode--
In the following, an operation in the copy mode will be described.
In the copy mode, mainly document reading unit (also referred to as
a scanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104 operate.
In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is
read by document reading unit 102 as image data. The read image
data is input to CPU 300 implemented, for example, by a
microcomputer shown in FIG. 4. The image data is subjected to
various image processing operations here, and the resulting image
data is output to image forming unit 104.
Image forming unit 104 is for printing an image of the document
represented by the image data on a recording medium (in most cases,
on a sheet of recording paper). Image forming unit 104 includes a
photoreceptor drum 222, a charger 224, a laser scanning unit
(hereinafter denoted as LSU) 226, a developer 228, a transfer
device 230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234 and a
neutralizer, not shown.
In image forming unit 104, a main feeding path 236 and a reverse
feeding path 238 are provided, and a sheet of recording paper fed
from paper feed unit 106 is fed along main feeding path 236. Paper
feed unit 106 draws out sheets of recording paper stacked on a
paper feed cassette 240 or on a manual feed tray 242 one by one,
and feeds the sheet of paper to main feeding path 236 of image
forming unit 104.
While the sheet of recording paper is fed along main feeding path
236 of image forming unit 104, the sheet passes between
photoreceptor drum 222 and transfer device 230, and further passes
through fixing device 234, whereby printing is done on the sheet of
recording paper.
Photoreceptor drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its surface is
cleaned by cleaning device 232 and the neutralizer and, thereafter,
uniformly charged by charger 224.
LSU 226 modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be
printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of photoreceptor drum 222
with the modulated laser beam in a main scanning direction, whereby
an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of
photoreceptor drum 222.
Developer 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying
toner to the surface of photoreceptor drum 222, and thus, a toner
image is formed on the surface of photoreceptor drum 222.
Transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface of
photoreceptor drum 222 to the sheet of recording paper passing
between transfer device 230 and the photoreceptor drum 222.
Fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating the
sheet of recording paper and a pressure roller 250 for pressing the
sheet of recording paper. As the sheet of recording paper is heated
by heating roller 248 and pressed by pressure roller 250, the toner
image that has been transferred to the sheet of recording paper is
fixed on the sheet. A heater is heated by electric power supplied
to fixing device 234 and controlled such that temperature of
heating roller 248 attains to an appropriate temperature for
fixing. When operation mode is changed to the energy saving mode,
power supply to the heater is, for example, stopped or reduced.
At a position of connection between main feeding path 236 and
reverse feeding path 238, a separation pawl 244 is arranged. When
printing is done only on one side of the sheet of recording paper,
separation pawl 244 is so positioned that the sheet of recording
paper fed from fixing device 234 is guided to paper discharge tray
246 or a paper discharge unit 108.
When printing is done on both sides of the sheet of recording
paper, separation pawl 244 is turned to a prescribed direction, so
that the sheet of recording paper is guided to reverse feeding path
238. The sheet of recording paper passes through reverse feeding
path 238, turned upside-down and again fed to main feeding path
236, and while it is again fed along main feeding path 236,
printing is done on its rear surface, and thereafter the sheet is
guided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge unit
108.
The sheet of recording paper printed in the above-described manner
is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge unit
108, and discharged to paper discharge tray 246 or to any of paper
discharge trays 110 of paper discharge unit 108.
Paper discharge unit 108 may perform a process of sorting a
plurality of printed sheets of paper to be output to different
discharge trays 110, a process of punching each sheet of recording
paper or a process of stapling the sheets of recording paper.
Assume that a number of copies of the printing are to be prepared.
In that case, sheets of recording paper are sorted and discharged
to paper discharge trays 110 such that each tray 110 contains each
set of printed sheets, and the set of printed sheets in each tray
110 is stapled or punched.
--Facsimile Mode--
In the following, an operation in the facsimile mode will be
described. In the facsimile mode, document reading unit (scanner
unit) 102 and FAX communication unit 160 mainly operate for the
transmission operation, and FAX communication unit 160 and image
forming unit 104 mainly operate for the reception operation.
--Transmission Operation--
In image forming apparatus 100, the facsimile mode is designated. A
document placed on the platen is read by document reading unit 102
as image data. The read image data is input to CPU 300 implemented,
for example, by a microcomputer shown in FIG. 4, the image data is
subjected to various image processing operations here, and the
resulting image data is output to a FAX communication unit (FAX
communication unit 160 of FIG. 3).
FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on the
transmitting side connects a designated transmitting side line to a
designated transmission destination. FAX communication unit 160
converts the image data to communication data in compliance with
facsimile transmission standard, and transmits the converted data
to a facsimile machine (such as an image forming apparatus 100
having the facsimile function) on the receiving side.
--Communication Operation--
When the line is connected, a FAX communication unit 160 of image
forming apparatus 100 on the receiving side detects a communication
request signal from FAX communication unit 160 of image forming
apparatus 100 on the transmitting side, and transmits an
acknowledgement signal. Thereafter, by way of example, FAX
communication units 160 on the transmitting and receiving sides
pass performance information supported by transmitting side and
receiving side, determine highest possible speed of communication
and method of coding/code correction of image data, and set the
method of communication of modems. Then, using the image signal
format in compliance with the communication method, data is
transmitted from FAX communication unit 160 of image forming
apparatus 100 on the transmitting side to the FAX communication
unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on the receiving side. When
transmission ends, the line is disconnected.
--Reception Operation--
FAX communication unit 160 of image forming apparatus 100 on the
receiving side converts the received data to image data and passes
the data to an image forming unit 104. The received data may be
converted to image data at the image forming unit 104. The image
forming unit 104 prints an image of a document represented by the
image data converted from the received data on a sheet of recording
paper, in a manner similar to the operation in the copy mode
described above.
--Document Filing Mode--
In the following, an operation in the document filing mode will be
described. In the document filing mode, mainly document reading
unit (scanner unit) 102 and image forming unit 104 operate.
In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on the platen is
read by document reading unit 102 as image data. The read image
data is input to CPU 300 and subjected to various image processing
operations here. The resulting image data is stored in a storage
device (hard disk drive 302 as will be described later) provided in
image forming apparatus 100.
The stored image data is read from the hard disk drive by the user
designating the file name, and printed on a sheet of recording
paper in the similar manner as in the copy mode described
above.
--Mail Mode (Scan-to-Mail)--
In the following, description will be given on an operation in the
mail mode. In the mail mode, document reading unit (scanner unit)
102 and network interface 304 mainly operate.
The image communication mode provided in image forming apparatus
100 includes the facsimile mode in which image data is
transmitted/received by public line through FAX communication unit
160, and the electronic mail communication mode (mail mode) in
which the image data is transmitted/received by the Internet line
in the form of an attachment to an electronic mail, through network
interface 304. Image forming apparatus 100 may further include
Internet facsimile mode in which the image data is
transmitted/received by the Internet line through network interface
304, or image transfer mode (scan-to-PC folder) in which the image
data is transferred to a folder of a specific personal computer
(PC) using a network line.
In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is
read by document reading unit 102 as image data. The read image
data is input to CPU 300, and subjected to various image processing
operations here. The resulting image data is transmitted, attached
to an electronic mail.
Different from the facsimile mode in which a telephone number of
transmission destination is designated, a mail address of the
transmission destination is designated in the mail mode.
[Image Forming Apparatus: Control Block Configuration]
Referring to FIG. 4, image forming apparatus 100 further includes
operation unit 120, which allows setting of functions related to
the copy mode, facsimile mode, document filing mode and mail mode;
ROM (Read Only Memory) 306, which stores programs and the like; a
hard disk drive (hereinafter denoted as HDD) 302, which is a
non-volatile storage area capable of storing programs and data even
when power is cut off; and an RAM (Random Access Memory) 308, which
provides a storage area when a program is executed.
Image forming apparatus 100 further includes: a bus 310 connected
to document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX
communication unit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, HDD 302, and
RAM 308; and CPU 300 connected to bus 310, for realizing general
functions as the image forming apparatus.
HDD 302 stores files of image data of documents scanned by image
forming apparatus 100, folder by folder, together with date and
time of saving and name of the user who saved. Further, HDD 302
stores initial screen image data of each operation mode.
ROM 306 stores programs and data necessary for controlling
operations of image forming apparatus 100. The initial screen image
data of each operation mode may be stored as data to be stored
together with the program in ROM 306. CPU 300 controls image
forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the programs and data
stored in ROM 306, and executes control related to various
functions of image forming apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 4, a public line is connected for
transmitting/receiving image data, to FAX communication unit 160 of
image forming apparatus 100. To network interface 304, a network
line is connected. To the network line, a computer or the like
using image forming apparatus 100 as a network-supported printer
may be connected. To the network line, a computer or the like
identified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) designated through
the Internet may be connected. When connected to the Internet,
image forming apparatus 100 can obtain necessary information
through the Internet.
RAM 308 provides a function of a working memory for temporarily
storing results of operations and processes by CPU 300, and a
function of a frame memory for storing image data.
CPU 300 controls document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104,
ROM 306, HDD 302, RAM 308 and touch-panel display 130 and display
operation unit 140 forming operation unit 120, by executing a
prescribed program or programs. Operation unit 120 communicates
with CPU 300 through an input/output interface.
Operation unit 120 is formed of a plate-shaped panel provided in an
inclined manner to be easily viewable by the user. On a surface of
operation unit 120, touch-panel display 130 is provided on the left
side area, and display operation unit 140 (pilot lamp 142, and
power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 as hardware
buttons) is provided on the right side area. Touch-panel display
130 and display operation unit 140 form operation unit 120 as one
integrated body as a whole.
As described above, touch-panel display 130 is formed of display
panel 132 and touch-panel 134 arranged overlapped on display panel
132. On display panel 132 of touch-panel display 130, a home screen
image allowing selection of an operation mode of image forming
apparatus 100, current state of image forming apparatus 100, status
of destination designation, and status of job processing are
displayed. On a display area of display panel 132, selection
buttons as software buttons are displayed. When a portion where the
selection button is displayed is pressed, the pressed position is
detected by the touch-panel 134. By comparing the display position
of the selection button and the position where the touch-panel 134
is pressed using a program, selection of an operation mode, setting
of a function, and instruction of an operation of image forming
apparatus 100 become possible. In addition to such a touch
operation (command input operation based on the position of
pressing by the user), image forming apparatus 100 also allows
gesture operation (command input operation based on trajectory of
operation by the user) as described above.
Pilot lamp 142 of display operation unit 140 is, for example, an
LED (Light Emitting Diode). It is turned on/off (/flickered) under
the control of CPU 300. When the user presses power key 144
provided separate from a main power switch, image forming apparatus
100 makes a transition from a standby mode (in which, for example,
only the FAX receiving operation is possible with the main power
on) to a normal mode, in which every operation mode of image
forming apparatus 100 is usable. In this state, pilot lamp 142 is
turned and kept on. If a predetermined time passes without any user
operation, or if the user presses energy-saving key 146, image
forming apparatus 100 makes a transition from the normal mode to
the energy saving mode. In the energy saving mode, only some of the
operation modes of image forming apparatus 100 can be used. In this
state, pilot lamp 142 flickers. Further, if the user presses
energy-saving key 146 in the energy saving mode, the image forming
apparatus 100 makes a transition from the energy saving mode to the
normal mode. Home key 148 is a hardware key for returning the
display of touch-panel display 130 to the initial state (home
screen image). The processes performed when power key 144,
energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 are pressed are not limited
to the above.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, planar arrangement of operation unit
120 will be described in detail. Most part of the upper surface of
operation unit 120 serves as the display area of rectangular
touch-panel display 130. On the right, shorter side of touch-panel
display 130, display operation unit 140 (pilot lamp 142, power key
144, energy-saving key 146 and home key 148) is provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the appearance of home key 148 has the
following characteristics: (1) it is arranged closer to touch-panel
display 130; (2) its size (area projected on the upper surface of
operation unit 120) is large; (3) it has a rectangular shape in
portrait orientation; and (4) it is formed integrally with
touch-panel display 130.
Because of the characteristic shape (3), the length opposite to the
shorter side of touch-panel display 130 (the length of the
neighboring, or adjacent portion) can be made longer, and hence
integrity with the touch-panel display 130 can be enhanced.
Specifically, if home key 148 is provided on the left or right side
of touch-panel display 130, home key 148 is adapted to have a
rectangular shape in portrait orientation, and if home key 148 is
provided on the upper or lower side of touch-panel display 130,
home key 148 is adapted to have a rectangular shape in landscape
orientation, so as to enhance integrity with touch-panel display
130. The integrity of (4) refers to the design that a member (a
box, a line, or a member of rugged surface surrounding peripheral
edges of touch-panel display 130) arranged around the peripheral
edge of rectangular touch-panel display 130 is protruded near home
key 148, to enclose home key 148. Thus, oneness of touch-panel
display 130 and home key 148 can effectively be appealed to the
user, relation between the devices (display device and operation
device) is recognized, and hence, pressing of home key 148 is
encouraged.
Further, the entire upper surface of operation unit 120 is of
achromatic color (black). This is preferred since the state of
pilot lamp 142 indicating the status of image forming apparatus 100
is easily recognizable, for example, in the energy saving mode.
Particularly if touch-panel display 130 is of a large size,
measures to save energy is important and, therefore, at least power
key 144 and energy-saving key 146 are provided separately as
hardware buttons, so that the apparatus can be set to the standby
state not allowing any operation. Since it is impossible to supply
power partially to the display area of touch-panel display 130 (to
partially render conductive), touch-panel display 130 turns black
without any display in the energy saving mode. In this respect,
since the panel body of the upper surfaces of touch-panel display
130 and operation unit 120 is all black, pilot lamp 142 is better
noticed.
The planar arrangement of power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and
home key 148 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, these three
hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that the center line 148C
of home key 148 is positioned closer to the side of touch-panel
display 130 than the center line 144C of power key 144 and the
center line 146C of energy-saving key 146. Further, these three
hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that the edge line 148E
is positioned closer to the side of touch-panel display 130 than
the edge line 144E of power key 144 and the edge line 146E of
energy-saving key 146. Edge line 148E of home key 148 represents
the position of the outer edge on the opposite side of (away from)
touch-panel display 130, and edge line 144E of power key 144 and
edge line 146E of energy-saving key 146 both represent positions of
the outer edge on the side of (close to) touch-panel display
130.
Though not limiting, in image forming apparatus 100, pilot lamp 142
is arranged between the center line 148C and edge line 148E of home
key 148.
In a hardware button (power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home
key 148) of display operation unit 140, a key lamp or key lamps,
which is turned on/off (/flickered) under the control of CPU 300,
may be embedded. By way of example, the key lamps provide a light
ring on the edge of a circular key, or the key lamp lights a
central portion of the key. The key lamp is turned on at a timing
when hardware buttons are allowed to be used as the operation
device (at a timing when a process is executed if the hardware
button is used).
Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present
embodiment includes the four operation modes (copy mode, facsimile
mode, document filing mode and mail mode) as described above. On
touch-panel display 130, software buttons for setting functions in
respective operation modes are displayed, and buttons for setting a
destination or a preview as an expected image, for example, are
displayed as needed.
In different operation modes, different screen images are displayed
on touch-panel display 130. In order to allow the user to easily
find a required piece of information even in such a state,
touch-panel display 130 is divided into a plurality of areas (with
the size of each area made variable), and pieces of information are
displayed in these areas. More specifically, in image forming
apparatus 100, if an operation mode is selected on the home screen
image of touch-panel display 130 provided as a main display
operation device, the initial screen image of each operation mode
is displayed. The initial image has the following
characteristics.
(1) The basic layout is such that the screen image is divided into
five areas ("system area," "function selecting area," "preview
area," "action panel area," and "task trigger area") and arranged
appropriately. Therefore, by a user operation starting from an
upper left portion to a lower right portion, easy setting is
possible. The reason for this is that the flow lines of the user's
viewpoint and finger tip are similar to those in a conventional
device not provided with such a large touch-panel display 130.
(2) Concepts of the pieces of information displayed on respective
ones of the five areas are common among different operation modes,
so that smooth operation by the user without any confusion becomes
possible even in different operation modes.
In the following, the arrangement of basic layout will be
described.
[Basic Layout Arrangement]
FIG. 5 shows a basic layout on touch-panel display 130 of image
forming apparatus 100. Referring to FIG. 5, the basic layout of
landscape-oriented touch-panel display 130 (for example, of 1024
pixels.times.600 pixels) includes: system area 1000 arranged at the
uppermost portion; preview area 3000 arranged at the center of the
screen image; function setting/confirmation area 2000 (hereinafter
referred to as function selecting area 2000) placed on the left
side of preview area 3000; action panel area 4000 placed on the
right side of preview area 3000; and task trigger area 5000 placed
on the lower right side of preview area 3000. The number of areas
is not limited to five, the arrangement on the left and right sides
is not limited to the above, and the layout may be customized to
facilitate user operation. For instance, system area 1000 may be
positioned at the lowermost portion of the screen image.
On system area 1000, pieces of information related to the current
status, title of the operation mode that is being selected, and
state of image forming apparatus 100 are displayed. By way of
example, on system area 1000, an operation mode name, an
interruption key, a log-in user name, status of a currently
processed job, state of use of an internal memory, time and the
like are displayed.
On function selecting area 2000, a function selection menu (icons,
buttons and the like) operated by the user for setting each
function, switching display and confirming setting, is displayed.
The manner of display of function selecting area 2000 is changed
depending on whether it is in an icon mode, a regular mode or an
express mode. In the icon mode, only the icons for setting
functions are displayed in function selecting area 2000, so as to
ensure the widest preview area 3000. In the express mode, a large
screen image allowing setting of functions at one time is displayed
in function selecting area 2000, while preview area 3000 is made
the smallest. In the regular mode, the size of preview area 3000 is
medium size between that in the icon mode and that in the express
mode. In function selecting area 2000, function names are displayed
in text, together with the icons for setting functions.
Switching among the icon mode, regular mode and express mode is
done based on an operation by the user. Specifically, the size of
preview area 3000 is changed in accordance with the user's
operation. Since icons can transmit pieces of information to the
user in a small area, it is preferred to prepare icons for all
functions, so as to allow display of preview area 3000 in a large
size.
At a lower portion of function selecting area 2000, a group of
change buttons 2010 are provided, for changing style of display of
function selecting area 2000. Among the group of change buttons
2010, provided are: an icon mode entering button 2012 for
displaying function selecting area 2000 in the icon mode; a
"favorite" button 2014 for displaying functions registered as
"favorites"; a check button 2016 for displaying a function of which
setting has been changed; a list button 2018 for displaying a list
of all functions that can be set in the selected operation mode; a
regular mode entering button 2020 for displaying function selecting
area 2000 in the regular mode; and an express mode entering button
2022 for displaying function selecting area 2000 in the express
mode.
If a large amount of information is to be displayed on function
selecting area 2000, pieces of information are displayed in an
upward/downward scrollable manner. In that case, the group of
change buttons 2010 are not scrolled but constantly displayed at
the lowermost portion of function selecting area 2000.
In preview area 3000, an image of expected document output
(finished form) is displayed. Specifically, an image is displayed
using dummy data or scanned data. Every time the user designates
the manner of finish, the image displayed on preview area 3000
changes. Preview area 3000 has two display modes, that is, a
virtual mode before scanning, in which finished form of a dummy
image is displayed, and a scan-in mode after scanning, in which
finished form of the actual image is displayed. The virtual mode
has two types, that is, before setting an original document and
after setting an original document.
At a lower portion of preview area 3000, a group of preview
changing buttons 3010 are arranged, for changing the style of
display of preview area 3000. Among the group of preview changing
buttons 3010, provided are: a left-turn button 3016 for turning the
preview 90 degrees to the left; a right-turn button 3018 for
turning the preview 90 degrees to the right; and a zoom bar 3020.
In addition to these buttons, a color changing button 3012 and
preview operation button 3014, for example, are provided.
When left-turn button 3016 is touch-operated once, the preview is
turned 90 degrees to the left, and when touch-operated twice, the
preview is turned 180 degrees to the left. Similarly, when the
image of finished document displayed on the preview area is
gesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 90 degrees or
180 degrees counterclockwise by one's finger), the preview is
turned 90 degrees or 180 degrees to the left.
When right-turn button 3018 is touch-operated once, the preview is
turned 90 degrees to the right, and when touch-operated twice, the
preview is turned 180 degrees to the right. Similarly, when the
image of finished document displayed on the preview area is
gesture-operated (when the document image is rotated 180 degrees
clockwise by one's finger), the preview is turned 180 degrees to
the right.
When a plus button 3020A of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if
bar 3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of plus button
3020A, the preview is displayed in an enlarged size. Similarly,
when the image of finished document displayed on the preview area
is gesture-operated (when the document image is
pinched-out/pinched-open by finger tips), the preview is displayed
in an enlarged size.
When a minus button 3020B of zoom bar 3020 is touch-operated or if
bar 3020C is gesture-operated (slid) to the side of minus button
3020B, the preview is displayed in a reduced size. Similarly, when
the image of finished document displayed on the preview area is
gesture-operated (when the document image is
pinched-in/pinched-close by finger tips), the preview is displayed
in a reduced size.
If the number of pages of the document image to be displayed on
preview area 3000 is large, a display page selection button (a page
number input button, page feed button, page return button, single
page display button, plural page display button or the like) that
can be touch-operated may be displayed. Page feed and page return
of the previewed document is also possible by a gesture-operation
(flick) of the document image. If the document image displayed on
preview area 3000 is large, a scroll bar that can be touch-operated
or gesture-operated may be displayed.
On action panel area 4000, pieces of information related to
assistance, guidance and suggestion related to the operation are
displayed. On action panel area 4000, if, for instance, a user
selects a specific function, functions related to the selected
function may be displayed, other functions related to the selected
function in object-oriented manner may be displayed, or functions
selected in the past by the user or a user of a group to which the
user belongs in relation to the selected function may be displayed
as "recommended functions."
On task trigger area 5000, trigger items operated by the user to
actually operate image forming apparatus 100 when all settings are
done for the operation mode are displayed. By way of example, a
start button (software button) is displayed for starting a process.
In an operation mode involving printing (other than facsimile
transmission), information related to run out of consumables is
also displayed on the "task trigger area," since it leads to a task
failure.
Here, it is preferred to display the start button only when the
state allows pressing of the start button. The state that allows
pressing of the start button refers to a state in which all
settings have been done, and consumables (recording paper and
toner) are available, in the operation mode involving printing. In
the facsimile mode (transmission) as an operation mode not
involving printing, it is a state in which settings of all
transmission parameters including a destination have been done.
The positions where these five areas are arranged are not changed
even when the operation mode is changed (not changed in the initial
screen image of any operation mode). Similar to the switched
display in the icon mode/regular mode/express mode of function
selecting area 2000 (and preview area 3000), the size of each area
is changed, reduced/enlarged in the lateral direction (longitudinal
direction) of touch-panel display.
These five areas are arranged in consideration of the flow line of
user's viewpoint and the flow line of user's operation, in addition
to the user interface of conventional devices. With such an
arrangement, the user's viewpoint moves from upper left to lower
right, and the user operation (finger tip of the dominant hand)
moves from upper left to lower right. This advantageously enables a
user-friendly operation.
For making a transition from one operation mode to another, home
key 148 is pressed, to select another operation mode on the home
screen image. In this manner, the operation mode is switched
through the home screen image.
As described above, image forming apparatus 100 is provided with
touch-panel display 130 on which the home screen image is displayed
when home key 148 is pressed by the user. Such a display process is
realized by software executed by using the hardware configuration
described above.
Basically, no matter what screen image is displayed on touch-panel
display 130, if it is detected that home key 148 is pressed, CPU
300 of image forming apparatus 100 executes the program of
displaying the home screen image on touch-panel display 130. CPU
300 executes, in parallel with the program, a program for realizing
general functions of an image forming apparatus. The program,
however, is not directly related to the characteristic portion of
the present invention and, therefore, details thereof will not be
described here. It is also possible to change the manner of control
of image forming apparatus 100 (particularly, the manner of control
related to the display of touch-panel display 130) by pressing home
key 148 for a long time or by pressing the key twice.
[Operation]
The operation of image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the
present embodiment based on the configuration and flowchart as
above will be described with reference to the exemplary displays on
touch-panel display 130 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
--Home Screen Image Display Operation--
When the user presses power key 144 of image forming apparatus 100,
the warm-up screen image is displayed on touch-panel display 130
until warm-up is complete. At this time, it is preferred that image
forming apparatus 100 prepares pieces of information that can be
displayed even during system check and useful for the user who is
going to use image forming apparatus 100, and that the warm-up
screen image including such pieces of information is displayed on
touch-panel display 130.
When warm-up is complete, the home screen image is displayed on
touch-panel display 130. At this time, on touch-panel display 130,
a home screen image 6000 such as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. On
home screen image 6000, not all of the five areas of the layout
described above are displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, on home screen
image 6000, icons (icons representing operation modes) allowing
selection of an operation mode are displayed on most part of
touch-panel display 130, regardless of the five areas. The number
of icons to be displayed on home screen image 6000 may be
customized, for example, in three stages, of "large," "middle" and
"small."
Referring to FIG. 6, home screen image 6000 includes a home system
area 6100 corresponding to the system area described above, an icon
display area 6200, an icon display switching tub-button 6300, and a
memo display area 6400.
On home system area 6100, an area 6102 displaying an icon
representing the home screen image, an area 6104 displaying the
name of the displayed screen image, an area 6106 displaying the
logged-in user name, an area 6108 displaying a log-out button
(software button), and an area 6110 displaying the current time,
are arranged.
On icon display area 6200, icons 6210-6274 representing operation
modes are displayed together with the names or abbreviations of the
operation modes. The name or abbreviation of the operation mode is
not indispensable. In the present embodiment, there are at least
four operation modes (copy mode, facsimile mode, document filing
mode, and mail mode). Therefore, an icon 6242 for selecting the
copy mode, an icon 6232 for selecting the facsimile mode, an icon
6254 for selecting the document filing mode and an icon 6240 for
selecting the mail mode are displayed on icon display area 6200. In
FIG. 6, icons for selecting other operation modes, icons for
selecting other setting modes (for example, system setting and
language setting), and icons for displaying other screen images
(for example, job status) are also displayed.
As shown in FIG. 6, in icon display area 6200, icons on the central
column (for example, icons 6240, 6242 and 6244) are displayed
larger than icons on the left and right sides thereof (for example,
icons 6230 and 6250 with respect to icon 6240, icons 6232 and 6252
with respect to icon 6242, and icons 6234 and 6254 with respect to
icon 6244). In icon display area 6200, icons at the central row
(for example, icons 6232, 6242 and 6252) are displayed larger than
icons on the upper and lower sides thereof (for example, icons 6230
and 6234 with respect to icon 6232, icons 6240 and 6244 with
respect to icon 6242, and icons 6250 and 6254 with respect to icon
6252). In this manner, in icon display area 6200, the icons are
displayed to be horizontally and vertically symmetrical in size,
with the size being the largest at the center (center at the
central column).
When the user makes a flick operation to the left with his/her
finger on icon display area 6200 displayed on the screen of
touch-panel display 130, icons displayed on the screen move as if
they flow in the direction indicated by an arrow 6010. When the
user makes a flick operation to the right, icons displayed on the
screen move as if they flow in the direction indicated by an arrow
6020. The distance of movement is determined, for example, in
accordance with the width of movement of the finger tip in the
flick operation. The distance of movement may be a prescribed
distance set in advance for one flick operation. If a manner of
display in which a plurality of icons are arranged on a virtual
cylinder is adopted for icon display area 6200, it becomes possible
to display the icons in an endless manner.
On memo display area 6400, a piece of maintenance information or
the like to be notified to every user of image forming apparatus
100 is displayed.
--Operation of Displaying Initial Screen Image of Copy Mode--
If icon 6242 shown in FIG. 6 is touched, tapped or double tapped by
the finger tip of a user, it is determined that the operation mode
is selected. If the selected operation mode is the copy mode, the
initial screen image of copy mode is displayed on touch-panel
display 130. By way of example, an initial screen image 7100 for
the copy mode shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on touch-panel display
130. As shown in FIG. 7, copy mode initial screen image 7100 is
divided into five areas of the layout described above, on which
pieces of information are displayed.
Referring to FIG. 7, on system area 1000 of copy mode initial
screen image 7100, an area 1102 indicating the selected operation
mode (here, copy mode), an area 1104 displaying sub information
related to the selected operation mode, an area 1106 displaying the
logged-in user name, an area 1108 displaying a log-out button
(software button), an area 1110 displaying the job status of the
currently executed job, an area 1112 displaying a button related to
the job status (software button), an area 1114 displaying the
communication state, and an area 1116 indicating the current time,
are arranged.
In area 1102, a name and/or icon representing the operation mode is
displayed. It is preferred that if area 1102 is touched, tapped or
double-topped, a menu showing operation modes is pulled-down,
allowing switching of the operation mode (the same applies to other
operation modes).
In area 1104, an interruption key (software button) is displayed as
sub information. If the interruption key is touched, tapped or
double-tapped, an interruption process can be executed in the copy
mode.
In area 1106, job status of the currently executed job is indicated
by an icon. If the job status is touched, tapped or double-tapped,
detailed information of job status is displayed. Further, it is
preferred to display a button or the like to stop the selected job
in area 1112.
In function selecting area 2000 of copy mode initial screen image
7100, a function selection menu allowing selection by the user in
the copy mode and the group of change buttons 2010 described above
are displayed. In the screen image shown in FIG. 7, the function
selection menu is displayed in the regular mode.
As shown in FIG. 7, the function selection menu displayed in the
regular mode includes a group of icons 2100 and a group of texts
2120. In the function selection menu displayed on function
selecting area 2000, displayed are: an icon 2102 for setting the
number of copies, and a text 2122 showing the set contents; an icon
2104 for setting color mode, and a text 2124 showing the set
contents; an icon 2106 for setting copy density, and a text 2126
showing the set contents; an icon 2108 for setting copy
magnification, and a text 2128 showing the set contents; an icon
2110 for setting document type, and a text 2130 showing the set
contents; an icon 2112 for setting paper type, and a text 2132
showing the set contents; an icon 2114 for image edition, and a
text 2134 showing the set contents; and an icon 2116 for layout
edition, and a text 2136 showing the set contents.
As described above, further items on the function setting menu may
be displayed in upward/downward scrollable manner, with the display
position of group of change buttons 2010 fixed. It is possible to
switch the items displayed on the function setting menu including
the items hidden at the upper or lower portion and not displayed,
either by the touch-operation (scroll operation) or
gesture-operation (upward/downward flick operation).
Here, image edition refers to image edition of one page of
document. A lower layer menu thereof includes frame erasure, print
menu, watermark, user stamp and the like. The layout edition refers
to image edition of a plurality of pages of the document. The lower
layer menu thereof includes page collection, margin, page movement,
centering and the like. The lower layer menu of the displayed
function selection menu appears on touch-panel display 130 if any
of icons 2102 to 2116 or texts 2122 to 2136 is touched, tapped or
double-tapped.
In preview area 3000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100, an
image of expected document output (finished form) 3100 and the
group of preview changing buttons 3010 described above are
arranged. Here, image 3100 is displayed using dummy data or scanned
data. Every time the user changes the function setting menu of
function selecting area 2000, image 3100 is changed and displayed
on preview area 3000 (preview display is changed).
In action panel area 4000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100,
pieces of information related to assistance, guidance and
suggestion related to the copy operation are displayed. As shown in
FIG. 7, recommended functions in the copy mode selected by the user
are displayed. In action panel area 4000, an area 4100 showing the
contents of displayed information, and areas 4102 to 4106 showing,
as texts, the recommended functions and serving as software buttons
are arranged.
When area 4102 is touched, tapped or double-tapped, detailed
information of energy-saving copy is pulled-down and displayed.
Here, a software button allowing transition to a function setting
screen image for double-sided copy is displayed, together with a
text message of, for example, "double-sided copy saves paper." At
the same time, a software button allowing transition to a function
setting screen image for page collection is displayed, together
with a text message of "collective printing of pages saves paper."
Further, a software button allowing transition to a function
setting screen image for saddle stitch is displayed, together with
a text message of "printing for bookbinding available."
In task trigger area 5000 of copy mode initial screen image 7100, a
group of execution buttons 5100 is displayed. The group of
execution buttons 5100 include: a scan-in key 5102 (software
button) for operating image forming apparatus 100 to scan a
document and obtain image data; a clear all key 5104 (software
button) for clearing set function or functions; a monochrome start
key 5106 (software button) for operating image forming apparatus
100 to scan a document and start copying in black and white; and a
color start key 5108 (software button) for operating image forming
apparatus 100 to scan a document and start color copying.
On copy mode initial screen image 7100 having pieces of information
displayed on five divided areas, the user inputs various requests.
Though the operation mode is not limited to the copy mode, after
selecting an operation mode, it is possible that the user has
difficulty in operation in the process of inputting requests in the
operation mode. In such a situation, the user may wish to have the
display on touch-panel display 130 to the home screen image and to
start again from the selection of operation mode. If the user so
wishes, he/she may simply press home key 148 provided on operation
unit 120. Here, it is possible for the user to easily find the home
key 148 provided as integral part of touch-panel display 130.
When home key 148 is pressed by the user, the display makes a
transition from the screen image of FIG. 7 to the screen image of
FIG. 6. Here, the setting (for example, the number of copies set to
10 on the screen image of FIG. 7) made by that time by the user may
or may not be saved. If it is saved, after transition of the screen
image from FIG. 7 to FIG. 6, when icon 6242 shown in FIG. 6 is
touched, tapped or double-tapped by the user's finger, the initial
screen image of the copy mode appears on touch-panel display 130,
and the saved setting is displayed.
Effects of the Present Embodiment
As described above, in the image forming apparatus in accordance
with the present embodiment, the home key for switching the display
on the touch-panel display to the home screen image allowing
selection of an operation mode is provided to have integrity with
the touch-panel display. Specifically, the home key is (1) arranged
closer to the touch-panel display than other hardware buttons
(power key and energy saving key), (2) larger than other hardware
buttons, (3) adapted to have a rectangular shape in portrait
orientation (while the touch-panel display is in landscape
orientation), and (4) the box portion of home key and the box
portion around the touch-panel display are surrounded by the same
member. Because of such a shape, arrangement and structure of the
home key, the touch-panel display and the home key are integral
and, hence, the user who wishes to have the display on touch-panel
display returned to the home screen image can easily find the home
key. Therefore, operability of home screen display required by the
user can be improved.
First Modification
Next, referring to FIG. 8, a first modification of the image
forming apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment will be
described. The image forming apparatus in accordance with the
present modification differs from the embodiment above (FIG. 2), in
the arrangement of power key 1144, energy-saving key 1146 and home
key 1148 on operation unit 1120. Except for these points, the
modification and the embodiment above are the same and, therefore,
detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.
As shown in FIG. 8, most part of the upper surface of operation
unit 1120 serves as the display area of rectangular touch-panel
display 130. On the right, shorter side of touch-panel display 130,
pilot lamp 1142, power key 1144, energy-saving key 1146 and home
key 1148 are provided. As shown in FIG. 8, pilot lamp 1142, power
key 1144 and energy-saving key 1146 are arranged aligned in the
left/right direction (though the arrangement is not limited to such
alignment in the left/right direction). Specifically, the center
line 1144C of power key 1144 is the same as the center line of
energy-saving key 1146. Further, in the present modification, since
power key 1144 and energy-saving key 1146 have the same size, edge
line 1144E of power key 1144 is the same as edge line of
energy-saving key 1146.
The planar arrangement of power key 1144, energy-saving key 1146
and home key 1148 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, these
three hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that the center
line 1148C of home key 1148 is positioned closer to the side of
touch-panel display 130 than the center line 1144C of power key
1144 (which is also the center line of energy-saving key 1146).
Further, these three hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that
the edge line 1148E of home key 1148 is positioned closer to the
side of touch-panel display 130 than the edge line 1144E of power
key 1144 (which is also the edge line of energy-saving key 1146).
The edge line 1148E of home key 1148 indicates the position of the
edge opposite to (away from) the touch-panel display 130, and edge
line 1144E of power key 1144 and energy-saving key 1146 indicates
the position of the edge on the side of (closer to) touch-panel
display 130.
Though not limiting, as shown in FIG. 8, in the image forming
apparatus, pilot lamp 1142 is arranged on the center line 1144C of
power key 1144 (which is also the center line of energy-saving key
1146).
As described above, in the image forming apparatus in accordance
with the present modification, the home key for switching the
display of touch-panel display to the home screen image allowing
selection of an operation mode is provided to be integral with the
touch-panel display and, therefore, the user can easily find the
home key.
Second Modification
In the following, referring to FIG. 9, a second modification of the
image forming apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment
will be described. The image forming apparatus in accordance with
the present modification differs from the embodiment above (FIG.
2), in the arrangement of power key 2144, energy-saving key 2146
and home key 2148 on operation unit 2140. Except for these points,
the modification and the embodiment above are the same and,
therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated
here.
As shown in FIG. 9, most part of the upper surface of operation
unit 2140 serves as the display area of rectangular touch-panel
display 130. On the lower, longer side of touch-panel display 130,
pilot lamp 2142, power key 2144, energy-saving key 2146 and home
key 2148 are provided. As shown in FIG. 9, pilot lamp 2142, power
key 2144 and energy-saving key 2146 are arranged aligned in the
up/down direction (though the arrangement is not limited to such
alignment in the up/down direction). Specifically, the center line
2144C of power key 2144 is the same as the center line of
energy-saving key 2146. Further, again in the present modification,
since power key 2144 and energy-saving key 2146 have the same size,
edge line 2144E of power key 2144 is the same as edge line of
energy-saving key 2146.
The planar arrangement of power key 2144, energy-saving key 2146
and home key 2148 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, these
three hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that the center
line 2148C of home key 2148 is positioned closer to the side of
touch-panel display 130 than the center line 2144C of power key
2144 (which is also the center line of energy-saving key 2146).
Further, these three hardware buttons (keys) are arranged such that
the edge line 2148E of home key 2148 is positioned closer to the
side of touch-panel display 130 than the edge line 2144E of power
key 2144 (which is also the edge line of energy-saving key 2146).
The edge line 2148E of home key 2148 indicates the position of the
edge opposite to (away from) the touch panel display 130, and edge
line 2144E of power key 2144 and energy-saving key 2146 indicates
the position of the edge on the side of (closer to) touch-panel
display 130.
Though not limiting, as shown in FIG. 9, in the image forming
apparatus, pilot lamp 2142 is arranged on the center line 2144C of
power key 2144 (which is also the center line of energy-saving key
2146).
As described above, in the image forming apparatus in accordance
with the present modification, the home key for switching the
display of touch-panel display to the home screen image allowing
selection of an operation mode is provided to be integral with the
touch-panel display and, therefore, the user can easily find the
home key.
In the embodiment and modifications described above, that the home
key is provided closest to the touch-panel among the hardware
buttons has been described with reference to the positional
relation of center lines or edge lines of hardware buttons. The
position may not be defined by the center line or edge line,
provided that the home key is substantially positioned closest to
the touch-panel display.
The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and
should not be interpreted as restrictive. The scope of the present
invention is determined by each of the claims with appropriate
consideration of the written description of the embodiments and
embraces modifications within the meaning of, and equivalent to,
the languages in the claims.
* * * * *